With 43 sold so far, there's still time to sponsor a BC Parks' limited-edition bench as part of its 100 park benches for 100 years of provincial parks program.

The Dalton family of the Lower Mainland jumped at the opportunity to commemorate their family history. Sheena Ball and her brother, Jim Brown, have a connection with Garibaldi Provincial Park that few can match. Their grandfather and great-grandfather, A.T. Dalton and W.T. Dalton, along with four of their friends, made the first known ascent of Mount Garibaldi on Aug. 11, 1907.

The Dalton family bench pays tribute to the family's early mountaineers, and will be located near the Elfin Lakes shelter in the Diamond Head area of Garibaldi Provincial Park. Because of this year's heavy snowpack, the bench will be installed next year after the snow melts.

Using tools on the BC Parks website, sponsors can choose their park and bench location - alongside a trail overlooking a lake or viewpoint or beside a playground - and see a photo or map of the surrounding area. Benches sponsored late in the year will be installed in spring 2012.

Sponsorship costs $1,500, which includes installation and a bronze plaque with a customized message or company logo. Also, a charitable tax receipt will be issued with each purchase. All money raised goes to the Park Enhancement Fund and will be used to fund more improvements to park facilities.

Learn More:

• Find out more about BC Parks 100 benches and other bench stories at: www.bcparkbench.ca

• Find out more about BC Parks by viewing the Great Ranger Experience videos on YouTube: http://bit.ly/ooyxPj

• For more information about the Park Enhancement Fund: http://bit.ly/qOVpVn

Contact:

Karen Johnston
Communications Director
Ministry of Environment
250 812-0495